"Ouch" his back itched from the straw bed. Touji could feel the itchiness travel all the way down his spine. This was uncomfortable but the fact that his arm was far to sore and stiff to even reach was a far greater hell.

"Foss! Why can't Maphori-like heal my sore back?"

The boy looked up from the milk jug, backside still up.

"Your are seriously going to get fat if you keep up the snacks."

Foss gave his characteristic grin, wiping the spilled liquid from his lips and let out a satisfied burp.

"You might have ta repeat ya'self." Foss said matter of factually.

Touji sighed. "Why can't healers do they're damn job. I was 'healed' supposedly and yet I still feel like shit."

"Ignorant."

"Piss off and answer."

"Listen Toooooji. Arks change arclight and only arclight into fire, water and the other stuff... If ya have sore muscles, all you've gotta do is chop your arms off and Maphori will grow them back with the soreness gone in the wind."

"Are you shitting me?"

"Shit?"

"Can you two pipe down?" Selkia moaned.

"Oh your awake? You sleep well?" Foss teased tilting his head to the side enough to look unnatural.

"Mmmm..." She groaned, rolling over facing the other direction and pulling the blanket over her head.

The blue light from the aposs flickered on and off stealing both their attentions, leaving a trail of silence in it's wake.

"I think you magic sucks. What about fricken illness, eh?"

"I don't know. I've never had one." Foss answered, kicking his feet to and fro like a child in a swing.

"What happens if we all get rabies? Do you chop off my head?"

Foss shrugged. "Probibly."

"Screw you."

He slipped his hands around his neck, feeling the marks which still lingered from the previous day's events.

"And thanks for yesterday." He mumbled.

***

"We are deeply in your debt." A bronze haired thug bowed taking a large gray leather sack from the stranger. He was posed with a heavy posture, his physique was sturdy and firm as his years as an executor was deeply engraved into his veins.

"Nonsense." The masked man waved him off straightening his hood and adjusting the face covering over the bridge of his nose. "I rather not think of it as debt. Comrades help one another."

"The empire will certainly reward you for your services."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Please." The masked man chuckled. "May knowledge bless you. Now I must be on my way. It was a pleasure assisting you."

He leapt onto the rooftop, his shadow disappearing into the distance.

"How interesting." The man mused.

A strange noise came out from the bag as if something was trying to escape. He kicked it once with a blow that could have shattered bone before tossing it over his shoulder, the contents inside rolling back and forth.

A short squeal could be heard, the sack moving less and less.

He passed through the back door of the fortress wall and descended into the depths of the passage. The loud thumps of his heels hitting the stone echoed down the stairs.

Chains hung down from the walls, torches flickering casting shadows that danced around the room.

The man reached the bottom, entering a cell room. The iron bars were covered in rust and the air was damp and moist. A faint odor of death and rotten flesh penetrated the senses. Moans and groans could be heard coming from each of the cells.

He threw the sack into a cell. The contents bounced off the ground, a loud crack emanating from the skull.

"Cerl. Come here!" The man yelled.

A scrawny man stumbled over. He was tall and skinny, his limbs long and gangly.

"What is it boss?"

"Keep an eye on this one. This is a special specimen."

"Special?"

"Yes, it's different from the rest."

"Like a demon?"

"Of course not. Even better."

Cerl opened the sack, revealing a silver heard girl, blood flowing down her forehead.

"Wow."

"I knew you'd like it."

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I love them young. I do. Thank you. Can I?"

"Yep. We need it clean for the experiments and make sure to get a healer in here before then but besides that I don't care what you do. She can't die."

"Thank you." Cerl drooled licking his chapped lips.

"Have fun."

*Click

The cell door closed.

***

The smell of blood was thick, the ground splattered with red and bodies littering the street. Two bodies lay at Foss' feet, his feet and knees shaking under the weight of the humans.

The one with a strange green shirt that comprised itself of a hood sat upright, eyes fixated on the gruesome scene.

"Oh, your awake."

Touji peered around dazed. Foss unaware of the absolute mess he was in still put the effort to make the corners of his mouth curve.

"You... did all this?" Touji questioned.

Foss scratched his cheek attempting to remove the red liquid from his face but failing to complete the simple mission, smearing the splatter of blood on his face even further.

"Oops. Hope I don't look as gross as I feel."

"No... Your good. Is Selkia alive?"

"Not sure. I just kinda started walk'n with ya two in hand. Didn't really think to check." He scratched his head awkwardly wondering why he hadn't thought of that.

"Phew. She still has a pulse." Touji leaned back and let out a long anxious breath.

"..."

"Where are we taking her?"

Foss pointed down the alleyway at an open sewer. Touji seemed to understand, taking the lead as he slipped Selkia's body over his shoulder. Foss followed wondering if there was something he should be saying at a time like this.

They reached the drain and Touji gently lowered her body onto the cobblestone before following her down. He was careful not to land on the girl, his shoes sinking into the mud and grime below.

"You seem capable." Foss muttered, jumping in.

They walked on in silence. Touji didn't know where they were going and Foss didn't really have the energy to converse. The tunnel was dark, the sounds echoing loudly around them.

"Stop!" Selkia woke abruptly, grabbing hold of his collar.

Touji froze, his body tense and motionless.

"Oh, it's just you kids. Phew. You alright Touji?"

He nodded.

"Thank god."

"..."

"Sorry I didn't react in time back there."

Selkia's arm trembled as it tightened it grasp around Touji.

"I should be the one apologizing." Touji sighed.

"Touji?! What happened to your eyes? They're bleeding."

"Don't worry about it. I'm fine." He paced slowed to a stop. His eyes shut tightly and his breathing heavy.

"Touji." Selkia attempted to lift herself but her arm was not responding properly.

He opened his eyes, blood streaming down his cheeks, dripping onto the bricks below.

"Foss. How strong are you?"

The blonde haired assassin halted. "Don't know what ya mean?"

"What I'm saying is, next time, let's kick their butts." He grinned awkwardly, the blood gathering at the corners of his lips.

"Sure." Foss smirked.

"Also Foss. I have no idea where I'm going?"

*Teh. Selkia burst out laughing. "You really are as strange as your clothes."

"Don't insult my clothes. They are way comfier then your non-existent ones."

Foss snickered.

Selkia blushed, her mouth forming a pout.

Touji laughed along aside Foss, his tired body aching with each breath. He had made his resolve. Running was no longer an option and whoever had taken Odja's daughter needed to die and he wanted to be the one to hand it too them.

-Wherever you are Chylum, I will save you. I promise.